AROUND THE WORLD.

Drought prompts appeal for food aid

NAIROBI, KENYA — President Mwai Kibaki declared Kenya's food shortage a national disaster on Wednesday, saying about 3.3 million people need emergency food assistance because of drought.

Kibaki said more than 60 percent of Kenya's crops were expected to fail this year. He said his country needs 172,000 tons of food and about $32 million is needed for sanitation, water, nutrition and livestock services.

The call for help came one day after British High Commissioner Edward Clay suggested international aid could be cut off because of a resurgence in corruption that has drained about $192 million from the East African nation.